Tarzan

So I did see this yesterday. Wasn't bad, wasn't good either, just an average show. Felt it's more a spectacle than a musical with all the action going on and gorillas swinging through/over the auditorium.

The music is very ballad heavy and samey and the only standout song is For the first time.
Unlike for German shows, we had pretty much all of the main cast except from Tarzan who was played by the understudy (not even the alternate). I was really happy to see Willemijn Verkaik on stage again, even though it was odd hearing her speak German, as I'm used to her speaking English.
Only knowing the cast recording, I thought that the translations were done OK. Only annoying thing was that Terk was made speaking some local Swabian slang expressions which not only felt completely out of place in the African jungle but sounded really odd from a non native speaker with an audible accent.

View from my seat in row 20 on the far right side was fine and much better than I thought it would be but a bit too distant, and I found it too pricey for 65€ (which were already reduced - usually, that seat is priced 85ish €). Theatre was shockingly empty.

I'm glad that I went but I don't feel I have to see this show again.

Haha, I live in Cologne, come and meet me for a drink

The "thing to do" here is of course the cathedral. You can climb up one of the towers to enjoy the amazing view (on a clear day) if you're so inclined. Otherwise, give me some ideas what you're inerested in? Sampling local cuisine, checking out hipster hotspots, shopping, museums,...? Also, when exactly are you here? There are quite a few large events going on in summer, so you might be here right on time for one of them.

As for Oberhausen: The theatre is right in the middle of what they call Neue Mitte (New Centre), which has turned into a huge sprawling complex of stuff like a big shopping mall, a SeaLife aquarium, Legoland, a waterpark with slides and stuff, and other things. Do check out the Gasometer (http://www.gasometer.de/en/) which has been turned into a stunning exhibition hall. Otherwise, again, let me know what kind of things you might be interested in. Oberhausen itself is not all that great, but there are some amazing things to see nearby that go back to the era when the Ruhrgebiet was Europe's industrial heartline. Could check out the Zeche Zollverein in Essen for example: www.zollverein.de/service/english-page

Have Disney ever put a show into Fringe?

Josh is only in the show until early August so hopefully your trip is before he leaves. Also he is off two shows per week, often Tuesday eve and Sunday matinee (subject to change). But then it is an interesting production even if he happens to not be on when you go. The staging especially is really well done.
I've enjoyed the show having seen it both with Josh and with one of his understudies.

Steffi Do you when his last day specifically? I can't find much on the web, except from one article from February claiming he leaves on 01/08.

@tom89 Josh leaves end of July so sadly you will just miss him. :-(

Just a heads up for anyone planning to see Tarzan in Oberhausen in the upcoming months: Josh Strickland definitely finishes at the end of July, then Anton Zetterholm is taking over until early December, then Josh will be back for at least 3 months (maybe 6 months but that hasn't been decided yet).

Hi Steffi, good to know, thank you
I'm such a Disney nerd, I can't wait to see the show. I'm sure Anton will be fantastic.

Josh singing in German??

on saturday Josh passed the Tarzan torch to Anton Zetterholm , who takes over from august 2nd

www.facebook.com/TarzanDisneysMusical/videos/1432340966814641/

Oh no! That would be just my luck - hoping for good news in the morning!

If your show is really cancelled, head over to Bochum and see Starlight Express instead.

(but good luck!)